Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 131
P. 30
30 Issue #131 December 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com
Canadian NHL Hockey Markets at a Glance
Vancouver and Winnipeg are quite In Winnipeg, things have been going done that at a reasonable enough pace
happy with their starts thus far. Toronto better than expected. Sitting in third to put Calgary in a good position.
has yet to hit their stride. Edmonton place in the Central division and only Calgary management recently put
and Calgary are spinning their wheels. 4 points behind the division leader any contract extension talks on hold
By Brad Robertson
Ottawa has their share of issues, and Colorado Avalanche. Kyle Connor is with all pending free agents. It’ll be
Montreal is where most thought they’d setting the tone offensively with 14 interesting to see how that plays out in
be. goals. Mark Scheifele is rolling at over Calgary. Will they shop those players
Vancouver has been the leagues a point a game. Youngster Cole Perfetti and retool?
biggest surprise thus far. Sitting in is coming into his own, and the players Montreal is playing .500 hockey and
second place in the Pacific Division, the received from the LA Kings in the Pierre the rebuild there is going well. Young
Canucks own a huge goal differential of Luc Dubois deal are all contributing. defensemen Justin Barron, Johnathan
plus 34, terrific home ice record, and a The defence is standing tall, and veteran Kivacevic, Jordan Harris, and Kaiden
renewed sense of what it takes to dig in goalie Connor Hellebuyck is providing Guhle are getting valuable playing
and become a contender. Leading the his usual stellar play on a big workload. time and experience. Cole Caufield,
way is Norris Trophy candidate Quinn In Toronto, the Maple Leafs are Nick Suzuki, Rafael Harvey Pinard,
Hughes, who is on pace to score 110 simply treading water as of now. Juraj Slafkovsky, and Michael Pezzetta
points. JT Miller has put up points at a Leading the way offensively is William are also playing roles, and this bodes
fantastic pace as well. Elias Pettersson Nylander, who had a point in the first well for the future. I would believe that
is doing his thing, and Brock Boeser has 16 games of the season, tying a team in the new year and leading up to the
ello out there to all our hockey
Hfans. The NHL season is in full broken out after a few sub-par seasons, record. Auston Matthews is scoring at a trade deadline that veterans Brendan
swing and it’s a mixed bag of results with 17 goals already. Goalies Thatcher strong pace. It seems to be the same old Gallagher, David Savard, Sean
Demo and Casey DeSmith are solid in story on the blue line. The defence just Monahan, and possibly goaltender Jake
thus far in our seven Canadian markets.
It’s safe to assume that the fans in net. It’s safe to assume this is for real. isn’t Stanley Cup contender worthy just Allen will all be shopped.
yet, but new GM Brad Treliving has Ottawa has been plagued with
time to add to the blue line. Goaltender another very slow start to what was
Ilya Samsonov has been bad all year supposed to be a promising season.
thus far, and thankfully Joseph Woll has The heat is now on ownership and
picked up the slack. It’s obvious that management to oversee change. They
until there are some additions on the pushed out General Manager Pierre
back end, the Leafs can’t be considered Dorion for his alleged role in some
true contenders. botched information regarding the
As for Edmonton and Calgary, well, contract structure of Evgeny Dadonov
their seasons got off to underwhelming when he was traded away. Now head
starts to say the least. The Oilers are coach DJ Smith is on the hot seat. The
well out of a playoff spot thus far but team has enough talent on the front
have recently won three games in a and back ends, as well as in goal, to be
row. Their problem has been leaky competing for a playoff spot. They sit
goaltending and defence, as well as in last place in the Atlantic Division but
their all world captain Conor McDavid have a bunch of games in hand. They
being injured for a stretch. They sent are banged up on the blue line but once
goaltender Jack Campbell down to the guys start coming back it will be time
minors as he passed through waivers. for the Senators to start putting things
They are currently on the lookout to together.
acquire a competent goaltender to pair Well, enjoy the NHL season and get
with young Stuart Skinner. I think it’s out and support your local amateur
only a matter of time before this team hockey teams as well. The Cornwall
rights the ship as there is too much Colts Jr A team are having a terrific
talent not to. Calgary on the other hand year and its great hockey so get down
is close to being .500 but can’t put a to a game!
streak together just yet. The stars that Merry Christmas to you all.
are paid handsomely to score haven’t Coach Brad
